Hilton Head

Sunday, we checked out of the hotel and headed towards Hilton Head.  Our first stop was at Victoria Bluff Heritage Preserve in Bluffton.  After parking and getting our stuff together, we headed out on the trails.

This area is game land and primarily for hunting.  But no hunting on Sundays, so we made a loop along the old gravel roads.

The forest was pretty with lots of Spanish Moss.

And there were a bunch of column stinkhorn mushrooms poking up from the forest floor.

Near the road, there were some cabbage palms.

As we tried to loop around, one of the roads was really flooded, no reasonable way to get around.  So we had to go a little further and make a bigger loop.  There was more flooding here but not as bad.  There were a lot of saw palmetto in the understory along here.

We finished the loop up and then headed to Hilton Head.

We wanted to take Alex to the beach again but it started to rain.  So we stopped at Skillets for lunch.  They have a dog menu and Alex ordered the beef and rice.

The rain died down by the time we were done eating, so we parked at Coligny Beach Park and made the short hike out to the beach.

Even in light rain, it was pretty popular.  We walked a short ways and let Alex run a bit then headed back before it started raining again.

From here, we headed into Savannah and checked into the Quality Inn.  It was right in the historic district and a quick walk down to the river.  We got our first daiquiris from Wet Willie's and enjoyed the evening. 

Charleston

Saturday morning, we had breakfast at the hotel and then headed to Francis Marion National Forest to hike along the Swamp Fox Passage of the Palmetto Trail.  We parked at the trailhead off US-17 and hit the trail.

In a short ways, the Awendaw Passage turned right and we went left along Swamp Fox passage.  We saw lots of dwarf palmetto along the trail.

The trail led through a pine forest with evidence of a recent prescribed burn.

In about a mile, there was a large bridge over Steed Creek.

The black water was flowing.

The trail crossed Steed Creek Road and past another trailhead parking after about 3 miles.  We went as far as where the trail started following a gravel road.  There was a cool fly agaric mushroom here.

We had a snack and started making our way back.

At the parking area, we ran into a couple that were trying to rescue an emaciated dog.  Alex gave them a couple of his treats to help save the starving dog.  We continued on from here back to the trailhead.

Heading back to Charleston, we parked at the garage near the Visitor center in downtown.  We walked Alex down King Street through the city and turned on Broad Street.  St. Michael's Church was really pretty, next to the Post Office.

Near the water, we turned on Bay Street and walked down to the end for a view of Charleston Harbor.

On the way back, we passed Rainbow Row, a series of pastel houses along Bay Street.

Then we walked over to Riley Waterfront Park to see the pineapple fountain.

There was another cool fountain in the park as well.

By this time, we were starting to get hungry and stopped at Slightly North of Broad.  Sitting outside with Alex, we had a nice meal and drinks.  We visited a few more stores and then headed back to the hotel and started getting our stuff packed up.

Charles Towne Landing

Friday morning, we had breakfast at the hotel and then headed to Folly Beach County Park for a walk on the beach.  It was close to high tide so there wasn't a lot of beach.  We hiked down to the west end of the island first.

Then we headed east following close along the surf.  It was unseasonably warm and a beautiful day at the beach.

We walked down as far as the pier.

With such nice weather, it was no surprise that the beach was getting crowded.  Surfers were catching the waves.  We stopped for a break under the pier to relax in the shade.

On the walk back, I took off my shoes so Alex and I could walk in the surf.  The water was pretty cold, but felt nice on my feet.  We passed a huge flock of seagulls on the way back.

There were foot washing stations back at the park, nice to wash the sand off Alex though I don't think he enjoyed it.

From here, we went to Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site.  This place was really gorgeous.  After paying admission, we walked around the bird viewing area to view the pond and fountain.

There were beautiful camellias flowering.

We also passed Christopher's Garden.

Just past here was the 700-year-old live oak.  Not quite as gargantuan as the Angel Oak, but a beautiful tree nonetheless.

Turning around, a tree arched over the pond here casting a perfect reflection.

From here, we got on the English Garden Trail.  There were some beautiful magnolias.

We came to another spot on the pond where another fountain was visible and Spanish moss framed the view.

We stopped to give Alex a water break here then continued through Mrs. Waring's Gardens.  Lots of live oaks draped in Spanish Moss.

The camellia and magnolias here were beautiful; some had dropped many petals, forming a pink carpet.

Live oaks lined the path.

The English Garden Trail ended at the Avenue Oaks, planted in the 1940s by Mrs. Waring.

She sure did create some beautiful gardens.

We stopped to see Legare-Waring house, but the interior was closed for a private event.

Continuing on the trail, we came to the archaeology exhibits and the reconstructed palisade wall.

A wooden shed had been constructed using materials and techniques from the time of first settlement.

Past here, a boardwalk led over a swampy area with views of the wetlands along Old Town Creek.

The Adventure ship was at Albemarle Point, a replica of a 17th century cargo vessel.

Sandy waited with Alex while I went aboard.  Ranger Patrick told about life on such trading vessels in the 17th century.

Hard to believe a minimum of seven men lived aboard such a small ship.  Continuing on, an overlook was at Albemarle Point and had views towards Charleston.

Cannon platforms were built into earthen walls to supplement the defense of the palisade wall.

A common house was built in 2007, similar to the common houses the lords proprietor had built for the indentured servants and slaves who worked the land here.

There was an experimental crop garden right near here.

Another interesting exhibit was the stocks and pillory - a form of punishment and public humiliation for those that broke the law in the new colony.

The Horry-Lucas ruins are the remains of the first plantation house built at the site that was destroyed during the Civil War.

The History Trail finished up at the Cassique statue, the chief of the Kiawah tribe who helped the English settlers.

Our last stop in the park was the Animal Forest, but Alex is not allowed so we took turns walking through.

I went first and headed into the aviary, where a number of herons, pelicans and other shore birds were.

The pelicans were grooming themselves.

Past here was the red wolf, who was sleeping at the far end of the enclosure.

Across was the otter exhibit; none were in the water but I saw one sleeping in the back corner.

The black bear was pacing around his enclosure.

Just past here was the puma exhibit.

She walked around for a while then rested on a wooden platform.

A large open area had a number of deer.

I was unable to see the striped skunk, but the bald eagle was on display.

I waited for a while at the bobcat; finally, she got up and walked around a bit.

Turning back, I went on the other little trail to the see the last area.  The bison were mostly resting on the ground.

A couple elk were in the adjacent enclosure.

And lastly, I saw the turkeys, walking right up to the fence.

When I finished, I waited with Alex so Sandy could walk through the forest.

I got a picture of the Landing Brave statue and Alex took a little rest while Sandy visit the Animal Forest.  That finished up our visit to Charles Towne Landing.

We were hungry by this point so headed to Frothy Beard Brewery and had beer and pizza from Zombie Bob.  After an early dinner, we headed into downtown Charleston and walked down King Street.  We stopped in Marion Square.

There was a big Christmas tree in the center of the square.

After some pictures, we visited a couple dog friendly stores along King Street, including Woof Gang Bakery.  Alex wasn't interested in any treats but loved the fountain water bowl.  Spoiled dog got another late Christmas gift.  Then we headed back to the hotel and went to bed.